Electric switches



March 26, 1957 c. GOLDMAN ELECTRIC SWITCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1955 INVENTOR.

1 l z ll a 1 March 26, 1957 c. GOLDMAN 2,786,909

ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed July 12, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVEN TOR.

ELECTRIC SWITCHES Conrad Goldman, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1955, Serial No. 521,446

10 Claims. '(Cl. ZOO-51.14)

The present invention relates generally to electric switches, and more particularly to a socket-switch into which a light bulb may be screwed or plugged and in which the on-olf action is obtained at the socket.

One object of the invention is to provide a socketswitch which is easily operable by rotatable means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch which has a quick make-break circuit action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch which enhances, rather than detracts from, the appearance of the socket with which it is associated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a socketswitch activated by rotatable means and suitable for use with a single filament bulb.

Another object of the invention is to provide a socketswitch activated by rotatable means and suitable for use with a two filament bulb.

A further object of the invention is to provide a socket having a switch which may be seen in the dark thus enabling a person to quickly find it in the dark.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a socket-switch which has fewer parts, longer life, and costs less to manufacture than socket-switches heretofore available.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an axial section through a socket-switch constructed according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are top and bottom views, respectively, of the socket-switch;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the switch in on position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the spring contacts of the socket-switch;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another of the spring contacts;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the metal insert-ring by which the on-olf action of the socket-switch is controlled;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the rotatable disc in which the metal insert-ring is mounted;

Fig. 9 is an axial section through a socket-switch constructed according to another embodiment of the invention; 1

Figs. 10 and 11 are top and bottom views, respectively, of the socket-switch;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section taken on'the line 12-12 of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the switch in oif position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the metal insert-ring by which the on-oif action of the socket-switch is controlled;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the rotatable disc in which the metal insert-ring is mounted;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, axial section through the lower portion of a socket-switch the casing of which is formed nited States Pa e Patented Mar. 26, 1957 in two parts according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 16 is a section taken on the line 1616 of Fig. 15 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, and to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-8 inclusive, 20 denotes the socket-switch generally. Socket-switch 20 is of the two-way type, for use with single filament bulbs. It comprises an internally threaded socket-shell 21, a casing 22, and a rotatable disc 23 interposed between the shell and the casing. All of these parts are made of a suitable, non-conducting, and insulating material.

Preferably the shell 21 has a base 25 formed with an integral, centrally disposed, downwardly projecting shaft 27 threaded at its end 28 and formed with an outwardly projecting stud-like portion 29. The shell 21 and shaft 27 can, however, be made of more than one piece. Base 25 has an annular recess 39 in its lower face which surrounds shaft 27 and forms a shoulder 31 radially outwardly thereof.

Shell 21 preferably has a metal inlay 33 which is adapted to engage the metal, threaded end of a bulb (not shown) screwed into socket-shell 21. Inlay 33 extends downwardly through base 25 and shaft 27; and, it is bent upon itself at its lower end to engage the bottom of the shaft..

A lead screw 35 passes through the bent end and threads up into shaft 27.

Socket-switch 20 has an upper contact member 37 (Fig. 5) made preferably from a single piece, of metal formed with a contact button 38 at its upper end, a spring contact 4% at its lower end, and an intermediate stem portion 41 which passes through base 25 and a portion of the upper end of shaft 27. Contact button 38 extends along the base 25 of socket-shell 21, being slightly spaced therefrom. It is adapted to be engaged by the contact button or terminal on the bulb screwed into the socket. The lower spring contact 40 of contact member 37 has one end which seats in a recess 42 in the side of shaft 27 while its free end projects beyond the periphery of the shaft (Fig. 4).

The socket-switch has a spring contact member 43 (Fig. 6) which extends through the lower portion of shaft 27. Member 43 has a bent lower end 45 which engages the base of shaft 27 and is connected thereto by a lead screw 47 which passes through a hole 48 in end 45. The opposite end of member 43 has a spring contact 50 one end of which is seated in a recess 51 in the side of shaft 27 and the free end of which projects beyond the periphery of the shaft. Contact 50 and end 45 of member 43 are connected through stem portion 52. As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the recesses 42 and 51 in shaft 27 in which contacts 40 and 50, respectively, are mounted, are positioned at diametrically opposite points on shaft 27.

Casing 22, which makes up the lower portion of socketswitch 20, has a tubular portion 55 through which a pair of wires (not shown) from a suitable source of electrical power pass. One wire is connected to inlay 33 by means of lead screw 35. The other wire is connected to end 45 of lower contact 43 by means of lead screw 47. The stud-like projection 29 from the end of shaft 27 extending between the two lead screws eliminates the danger of a shortcircuit of the wires.

An integral cross member 56 is provided in casing 22, having a threaded bore adapted to receive the threaded end of shaft 27 so that the cap may be firmly connected to the shaft. The cross member 56 is spaced inwardly from the upper end of casing 22 thereby forming a shoulder 57 around the upper portion of the casing.

Disc 23 (Fig. 8), which is interposed between socketshell 21 and casing 22, is rotatably mounted on shaft 27 having a hole 60 in its center the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the shaft 27 so that the disc may have bearing engagement therewith. Disc 23 has an integral, upwardly projecting sleeve 61 the periphery of which engages shoulder 33;- of socket shell 21. Mounted within sleeve 61 and withina'recess 62 in the disc is an insert-ring 63 (Fig.7) made of a suitable, highly conductive metal. forms eight identical cam surfaces65 in the disc; alternate camsurfaces are faced with depending, conductor portions 67*on ring 63; Ring 63fits snugly withinrotatable disc 23; and, as shown in Fig. 4, the spring contacts 40 and '50 ofmernbers 37 and 43, respectively, engage thecam surfaces formed by the disc and the ring.

The rotatable disc; 23 also has a downwardly projecting.

sleeve 70 -(Fig. 1 theperiphery of; which engages the shoulders 57 on casing 22. Thus, it will be seen that disc 23,has;bearingengagement in three places, namely, theperiphery of:shaft,27, the shoulder;3l of socket shell 21 and the shoulder 57 oncasing 22. Thus, trueand controlledalignment of the disc. during rotation is assured.

Assuming that acne-filament light bulb is screwed in socket shell 21, and that electric power is supplied to socket-switch 2.6, and that disc23 is turned roan on position (Fig. 4), the socket-switch will supply electricity to the bulbv in a continuous circuit as follows: The threaded metalend ofthe bulb, will be connected directly and continually to the power source through inlay. 33, and one of the wires passing through portion 55 of casing 22 and connected to the inlay by means of lead screw 35; The contact buttonor terminal on the bulb will be indirectly connected to electrical power through contact button 33, stem 41, contact 40, conductor facing 67, ring 63, another conductor facing 67, contact 50, stem 52 and end 45connected to the other electric power wire by lead screw 47.

When disc 23 is in the position shown in Fig. 4.with contacts 40 and 50 engaging cam surfaces 65 having conductor facings 67, a circuit to the light bulb will be made, with ring 63 acting asthe bridge. To break the circuit it will be apparent that all that is necessary is to rotate disc 23 until spring contacts 49 and 50 snap off of conductors '67 and onto the pair of alternate cam portions 65 of ring 23 having no conductor facings. turn the light on again, disc 23 is merely rotated further to bring contacts 40 and-50 into engagement with the next set of conductor facings 67.

The switch just described operates with a positive, snap-action, with a circuit being firmly established, or sharply broken off, each time disc 23 is' rotated, thereby providing optimum electrical performance.

It-will be understood that the use-of eight cam surfaces'in recess 62 of disc 23 and four conductor facings 67 for alternate cam surfaces is not an absolute arrangement. If desired, a ring having four cam surfaces of which; two are faced with conductors could be used; or, a number of cam surfaces greater than eight'could be employed. Further, there are several possible ways of connecting the spring contacts to the electrical feed wires through the lead screws, with good insulation between lead screws. For example, inlay 33 could be formed in such a way as to provide a wire-binder at its lower extremity. So, also, the lower end of contact'rnember 43 could be similarly formed to provide the other wirebinder. 7

To make socket-switch 2G readily accessible in the dark, and thereby enable a person to quickly find it'to snap on the light, fluorescent or phosphorescent ingredients may be incorporated in disc 23 in its manufacture, or coated on afterwards.

The above described socket-switch is of sturdy, simplified construction. Therefore it will have a long life and can be manufactured at, low cost. Further, it is safer than socket-switches heretofore available, being shockproof and short-circuit-proof because of the sound insulation made possible by the unique arrangement of parts.

Recess 62in disc 23 Referring now to Figs. 9-14 inclusive, denotes generally a socket-switch of the three-way type for use with two filament bulbs. Socket switch 80 employs essentially the mechanism as described in connection with the prior embodiment of the invention, having, however, an additional spring contact for engaging the bulb and having a rotatable disc provided with four cam surfaces, three of which have a conductor facing and the other of which is blank, Withthis socket-switch, one or the other or both of the filaments of the bulb may be utilized in the electrical circuit.

Numerals in Figs. 9-14 the same as numerals in Figs. 1-8 indicate like parts.

With respectto shell casing 21-, theshaft 27 thereof, carries a spring contact 81 (Fig. 12) in addition to inlay contact 33 and contacts 37 and 43. Contact 81 is mounted in shaft 27 at a point diametrically opposite inlay 33. Its upper end 82 projects above base 25 and into the socket chamber for engagement with the; bulb screwed therein. The'lower end of the contact has a spring portion 83, similar to contactportions 40 and 5t); Contact'portion 83'has-one end seated in a recess 85 formed in the side of shaft 27; and, its free end-extends outwardly beyond the periphery ofthe shaft. The intermediate section of contact 81 which connects ends 82 and 33 is denoted at The rotatabledisc in socket-switch 80 which is denoted 33, has bore .89, similar to bore 60, and a recess which forms ,four;cam surfaces 91 in the. disc (Fig. 14) instead Qfeight camsurfaces as with disc23 in the. prior embodiment. Disc 38 carries a metalinsert ring. 92 (Fig. 13) which seats on it. Insert ring 92 is formed with three consecutive, depending, conductor portions 93 which form facings for three consecutive cam surfaces 91 of disc 83.

With a.two filament bulb screwed intosocket-switch 30 and with elcctricalfeed wires. connecting the socket to a sourcev of. electrical power, the socket-switch will operate as follows: The threaded metal end of the bulb in the socketwillbe connected directly and continually to the power source through metal inlay 33 and lead screw 35. The lower spring contact 43, with its spring portion 59, will also be connected-directly andcontinnally to thepower source by leadscrew, 47. However, a circuit is closed through bulb contact button 38 and secondary contact 82 only when disc 88 has been rotated to an onpositionso that metal inlay 92 can bridge the gap between spring contact43 and contacts 37 and 81.

Fig. 12- shows socket-switch-sfiin an off position, with spring contact 50 engaging a cam portion 91011 disc 38 havmg no conductor facing portion 93. Therefore, a circuit throughring 92. and contacts'3S and 81' to the bulb is prevented.

' If disc 88 is rotated a quarter turn counterclockwise, or until the spring contacts 40 and Si) snaps'off ofthe cam rises 91,- a-circuit will beestablished through one of the filaments in the bulb with the current passing through 45, 52,150, 93, 92; 93, 4t 41 and 33 to the bulb. To close a circuitthrough the-other filament and breakthe circuit to the first filament disc 88 merely has to be rotated another quarter turn, counterclockwise, to snap the spring contacts to their next station. Contact 40 now engages a cam-surfacehaving no conductor facing. Thus, the circuit to-button 38 isbroken. However, a circuit is established through the bulb through contact 82 with the electric current passing through 45, 52, 50, 93, 92, 93, 83, 87 and 82 to the bulb.

If we rotate disc 88- a quarter runonce again,counterclockwise, contacts 40, 83 and 50 will all be abutting against cam portion 91 faced with conductor portions 93; and, it-w-illbe apparent that'a circuit will be established to both filaments in thebulb,simultaneously. The final quarter-turn of'disc-88 willbring-it back to its starting or otf" position.

Therefore, it-will-be-seen-that withmy three way socket switch for-atwo filament bulb, the-circuit can be closed '5 to one filament, or the other filament, or to'both filaments, depending upon the desire of the person using the light. The structure employed is rel atively simple, yet, a positive snapping on-off action is obtained and optimum electrical performance results.

In both of the embodiments of the invention previously described, casing 22 threads onto the end 28 of shaft 27 of socket-shell 21. However, such a means of connecting the casing tothe socket shell is not essential. If desired, a connection such as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 may be employed.

In the modification shown in these figures, shaft 27 is not threaded at its end. Instead, it is flattened ed on two sides 95 and tightly press-fitted into an appropriate hole 97 in cross member 98 of cap 22. Also, member 98 may, instead of being integral with cap 22, be press-fitted therein. The advantage of this construction is the ease with which the socket-switch can be wired. When it is desired to connect wires to the socket by means of lead screws 35 and 47, cap 22 is merely slid off of cross member 98 thereby permitting ready access to the lead screws for connection of the wires. After the wire connections have been made, cap 22 is pressed onto member 98 again.

While the invention has been described in connection with several difierent embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and, as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and, as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my' invention what I claim is:

1. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, a conductor mounted on said socket member and connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, a plurality of spaced conductors carried by said socket member, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc rotatably mounted on said socket member, and a plurality of spaced electrically connected conductor members carried on said rotatable disc which are adapted to bridge the gap between said spaced conductors and close a circuit to said lamp when in engagement with said spaced conductors, the makin and breaking of a circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

2. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, a conductor mounted on said socket member and connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, a plurality of angularly spaced conductors carried by said socket member, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc rotatably mounted on said socket member, a plurality of angularly spaced conductor members carried on said rotatable disc, conducting means connecting said conductor members, said conductor members, and said conducting means being adapted to bridge the gap between said spaced conductors and to close a circuit to said lamp when two of said conductor members are in engagement with said spaced conductors, the making and breaking of the circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

3. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, a conductor mounted on said socket member and connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, a plurality of spaced conductors carried by said socket member, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc rotatably mounted on said socket member, said rotatable disc having a plurality of angularly-spaced cam surfaces, thereon, each of which has its active surface disposed at a varying distance from the axis of said disc measured in the direction of rotation of said disc, at least two of which cam surfaces have conductor facings, each of said spaced conductors having a spring contact portion engageable with said cam surfaces, said electrically connected conductor facings being adapted to bridge the gap between said spaced conductors and close a circuit to said lamp when in engagement with said spring contact portions, the making and breaking of the circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

4. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, said socket-member having a downwardly projecting shaft, a conductor extending through said shaft connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, a plurality of angularly spaced conductors carried by said socket member each of which has a spring contact portion projecting beyond the periphery of said shaft, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc rotatably mounted on said shaft, said rotatable disc having a bore formed with a plurality of angularly spaced cam surfaces at least two of which have conductor facings, conducting means connecting said conductor facings, said projecting spring contact portions of said angularly spaced conductors being engageable with said cam surfaces, said conductor facings and said conducting means being adapted to bridge the gap between said angularly spaced conductors and to close a circuit to said lamp when in engagement with the spring contacts of said angularly spaced conductors, the making and breaking of the circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

5. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, said socket member having a downwardly projecting shaft, a conductor extending through said shaft connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, a plurality of angularly spaced conductors carried by said socket member each of which has a spring contact portion projecting beyond the periphery of said shaft, said spring contact portions being angularly spaced and axially aligned, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc rotatably mounted on said shaft, :1 metal ring mounted on said disc and adapted to rotate therewith, said rotatable disc having a bore formed with a plurality of angularly spaced cam surfaces, said projecting spring contact portions being engageable with said cam surfaces, said ring having spaced, depending portions which form conductor facings on at least two of the cam surfaces of said disc, said ring being adapted to bridge the gap between said angularly spaced conductors and to close a circuit to said lamp when said ring conductors are in engagement with said spring contact portions, the making and breaking of the circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

6. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, said socket member having a downwardly projecting shaft, a casing member con nected to said shaft, an insulated disc interposed between said socket member and said casing and rotatably mounted on said shaft, a conductor extending through said shaft connectable at its upper end to said lamp and at its lower end to a source of power, a plurality of angularly spaced conductors carried on said socket member each of which has a spring contact portion projecting beyond the periphery of said shaft, said spring contact portions being angularly spaced and axially aligned, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said conductors being connectable to said lamp, said rotatable disc having a bore formed-with a plurality of angularly spaced cam surfaces, a'metal ring carried on-said rotatable disc and adapted to rotate therewith, said ring having conductor portions which form a facing on at least two of the cam surfaces of said disc, said projecting spring contact portions of said angularly spaced conductors being engageable with the cam-surfaces of said disc, said ring being adapted to bridge the gap between saidangularly spaced conductors and close a circuit to said lamp'whe'n said ring conductors and said spring contact portions are in en agement, the making and breaking of the contact being controllable by rotation of said disc.

7. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, said socket member having an upper and a lower end, a shaft projecting from the lower end of said socket, a cup-shaped casing having a crossmember, said cross-member having an opening in which the lower end of said shaft is fixed, said socket member having an annular shoulder adjacent its lower end, said casing having an annular shoulder at its upper end, a conductor connectable at its upper end to said lamp and at its lower end to a source of electrical power, a plurality of angularly spaced conductors carried on said socket member each of which has a spring contact portion projecting beyond the periphery of said shaft, one of said angularly spaced conductors being connectable to said source of power, another of said angularly spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc interposed between said shoulders and rotatable on said shaft and engaging said shoulders for preventing movement of said disc, said disc having a bore formed with a plurality of angularly spaced cam surfaces, a metal ring surrounding said shaft and carried on said rotatable disc and adapted to rotate therewith, said ring having depending conductor portions which form a conductor facing on some of the cam surfaces of said disc, said projecting spring contact portions of said angularly spaced conductors being engageable with said cam surfaces, said ring being adapted to bridge the gap between said angularly spaced conductors and to close a circuit to said lamp when said conductor portions and said spring contact portions are in engagement, the making and breaking of a circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

8. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, a conductor mounted on said socket member connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, :1 pair of angnlarly spaced conductors carried by said socket member, one of said spaced conductors being connectable to a source of power and the other spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc rotat-ably mounted on said socket member, said rotatable disc having a bore formed with a plurality of internal cam surfaces the number of which is a multiple of said spaced conductors, alternate cam surfaces having conductor faces, conducting means connecting said conductor facings, each of said angularly spaced conductors having a spring contact engageable with said cam surfaces, said g conductor facings and said conducting means being adapted'to bridge the .gap between said pair of angularly spaced conductors and close a circuit to said lamp when in engagement with said spring contacts, the making and breaking of the circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc.

9. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a two filament lamp, a conductor mounted on said socket member connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, three angularly spaced radially facing conductors carried by said socket member, one of which is connectable to said source of power, a second of which is connectable toa terminal on said lamp and the third of which is connectable to another terminal on said lamp, an insulated disc rotatably mounted on said socket member, said rotatable disc having a bore formed with four radially facing cam surfaces three of which severally have conductor faces, conducting means connecting said conductor facings, each of said angularly spaced conductors having a springcontact engageable with said cam surface, said spring contacts onisai-d spaced conductors be ing angularly spaced, said conductor facings and said connecting means being adapted to bridge the gap between said one spaced conductor and said second spaced conductor when said disc is in one position, and between said one spaced conductor and said third spaced conductor when said disc is in another position, and between said one spaced conductor and both of the other spaced conductors when said disc is in a third position to close a circuit to one or the other or both of the filaments in said lamp, the making and breaking of a circuit to said lamp being controllable by rotation of said disc.

10. A socket-switch comprising a socket member adapted to receive a lamp, a conductor mounted on said socket member and connectable at one end to a source of power and at its opposite end to said lamp, a plurality of spaced conductors carried by said socket member, one of said spaced conductorsrbeing connectable to said source of power, another of said spaced conductors being connectable to said lamp, an insulated disc member rotatably mounted on said socket member, one of said members containing a luminous material, and a plurality of spaced conductor members carried on said rotatable disc member, which are adapted to bridge the gap between said spaced conductors and close a circuit to said lamp when in engagement with said spaced conductors, the making and breaking of a circuit being controllable by rotation of said disc member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 595,584 Schutt Dec. 14, 1897 2,143,150 Herzberg et a1 Jan. 10, 1939 2,446,768 Kaufman Aug. 10, 1948 

